Liverpool prioritize £35m cut-price move for out-of-favour Manchester City star
Liverpool are prioritizing a £35m cut-price move for Manchester City’s Calvin Phillips as Jurgen Klopp prepares a midfield overhaul this summer…
Liverpool are set to make a stunning £35m summer bid to bring Manchester City midfielder Calvin Phillips to Anfield, according to reports.
Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium from Leeds last summer, Phillips has been a fringe member of Pep Guardiola’s City side, making just 16 appearances in all competitions and not making a Premier League start.
After rejecting the services of Jude Bellingham, Liverpool are assessing the available midfielder market and will now look to sign Phillips, according to the Daily Star.
City will reportedly lose £10m of the money they paid last summer if they accept the price Liverpool are willing to offer.
Calvin Phillips for Manchester City against Chelsea (Getty Images)
The 27-year-old has been a key member of Gareth Southgate’s England squad but has seen his playing time with the national team diminish, with less involvement in both the final European Championship qualifiers and last year’s World Cup.
Jurgen Klopp is looking to reinvigorate his midfield with new talent in the summer and Liverpool have reportedly made it clear they are fans of Phillips and want a switch.
In addition, it has been reported that the central midfielder has expressed his desire to leave City in the summer in favor of a move to the Reds.
Phillips is part of a City squad still aiming to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League this year.
However, he is unlikely to play a significant role in Guardiola’s plans, unless a horrendous and unexpected spate of injuries forces the Catalan to consider including the Englishman.
Many expected Phillips to start his third season in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United, given City’s midweek trip to Germany in the Champions League.
But he dropped to the bench again and had to wait until the 75th minute to make his introduction when he replaced Ilkay Gundogan.
Ahead of the game at Wembley, Guardiola questioned Phillips’ ability and explained why he hasn’t played much for the Premier League champions this year.
Guardiola noted that Calvin still needs a little rhythm in short distances.
We miss the best of Calvin, that’s why he doesn’t have many minutes.
In other news, DEAL. Liverpool have already made their first signing of the summer as Jurgen Klopp confirms plans for a right-back